A living legend, Pandit Arvind Mulgaonkar is classed amongst the most renowned contemporary Tabla Maestros. He has piously preserved the traditional elegance of Tabla repertoire. Born in 1937 Pandit Mulgaonkar has not only devoted his life for learning, mastering and preserving this treasure of rare Tabla compositions but has also handed it over most generously to the next generation. Pandit Arvind Mulgaonkar started his initial training in Tabla from Late Ustad Babalal Islampurkar. Then he became a disciple of Ustad Amir Hussain Khan (Doyen of Farrukhabaad Gharana) and took advanced training for 14 years till Khansaheb’s death. Later he took training from Ustad Ahmadjaan Thirakhwa (3 years) and Ustad Ata Hussain Khan of Rampur (3 years).

He has participated in number of Music Conferences giving solo recitals and accompaniment of eminent artists all over the country. Some of the vocalists include:Late Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit Late Pandit Sharatchndra Arolkar,Late Pandit Jeetendra Abhisheki, Late Pandit Ramesh Nadkarni, Late Pandit C.R.Vyas, Late Pandit Laxmanprasad Jaipurwale, Late Smt. Nirmaladevi, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Sharad Sathe, Pandit Jal Balaporia, Pandit Ajay Pohankar, Pandit Satyasheel Deshpande, and the instrumentalists include, Pandit Ravi Shankar (sitar), Ustad Rais Khan (sitar), Ustad Halim Jaffer Khan (sitar), Late Ustad Ziya Moinuddin Dagar (sitar/surbahar), Late Pandit Devendra Murdeshwar (flute), Pandit Prabhu Tendolkar (sarod)

He has also given a number of Lecture – Demonstrations throughout IndiaHe has been imparting advanced training to a number of students on the basis of ‘Guru- Shishya Parampara’ for the last forty-three years.He has many awards to his credit. Some of them are: State Award from the Govt. of Maharashtra in 1992 for excellence in instrumental music.Award of Senior Fellowship from Govt. of India, Dept. of Culture for 1995 / 1996.Award ‘Swara Sadhana Ratna’ from Swara Sadhana Samiti, Mumbai on 8th March 2003.

Pandit Mulgaonkar is not only known as a Tabla maestro but he is also known as the author of a treatise entitled ‘Tabla’ published by Maharashtra Text Book Board, Nagpur in 1975. He is a creative composer and has numerous compositions to his credit. Limited copies of his book “Gushtaki Muaf” consisting of his compositions was published in 1997 for private circulation. As an author he has also written number of short stories on artists, published in magazines from time to time. His short notes were also published in Maharashtra Vishwa Kosh, Vai. He is a member of the Advisory council of Municipal Kala Academy, Mumbai and Tansen Award and Kumar Gandharwa Award Selection Committee, M.P. He is also the Founder Member of the foundation Trust “Bandish” dedicated to Tabla Maestro Late Ustad Amir Hussain Khan, established in 1994 for the promotion of Tabla Art.